Box Score Game Summary / Photo Gallery / Video Hightlights / GameDay Preview

WINONA, Minn. — For the second consecutive game, the Saint Mary's University men's hockey team skated right with its opponent — right down to the final buzzer.

Unfortunately for the Cardinals, for the second consecutive game, they fell just short.

SMU was whistled for six penalties in the third period, and fell 4-3 to the UW-Stout in the Cardinals home opener at SMU Ice Arena.

“We spent way too much time in the box tonight, especially in the third period,” said SMU coach Bill Moore, whose team falls to 0-3-0 with the loss. “I know the rules are tighter this year, but you have to adapt.”

Trailing 2-1 late in the second period, SMU's Tom Healy (Rolling Meadows, Ill.) got the equalizer, finding the back of the net off assists from Vincent Unklesbay (Maplewood, Minn.) and Kevin Wentland (Columbia Heights, Minn.).

But the Blue Devils answered right back, getting the go-ahead goal just before the period ended, and then added an insurance goal on a power play midway through the third.

That insurance-goal proved to be big, as Cardinal freshman Mike Schaber (Blaine, Minn.) scored an impressive breakaway goal, but with just 16 seconds remaining, it was too little, too late.

“We've had trouble scoring for two years now,” Moore said. “We had plenty of chances, but we need to find guys that have the composure to finish.”

Brad Fusaro (Soldotna, Alaska) had given the Cardinals an early 1-0 lead with his second goal of the season, but the Blue Deveils would score seven minutes later as the two teams skated to a 1-1 tie after the game's opening 20 minutes.

Andy Scheib (Sun Prairie, Wis.) stopped 24 shots for the Cardinals, who are back in action Saturday, playing host to St. Olaf in a nonconference game at the SMU Ice Arena.